2025 Compare Cities Education:
Mason City, IA vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
- West Des Moines spends 1.4% more per student than Mason City.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 15.7% higher in West Des Moines than in Mason City. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- West Des Moines had 4.1% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Mason City
 Mason City, IAWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,293$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$12,699  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,373$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio13.42  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7994573
 Students per Counselor335  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.3%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.5.4%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock96.6%88.9%
 Some College Educ.20.0%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.6%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.20.9%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock13.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree1.5%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.6%1.5%
Reviews for Mason City    8 Reviews

I am from the area originally and have lived several places. I recently moved back from Arizona. I moved back to help with my elderly parents. If I did not have  More

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Over 13 years ago

Where to begin?? Murder,arson,abductions,beastialty,gang killings,meth labs,pantie thiefs. High utility bills, no jobs, corrupt police, evil judges, minus 40 below wind  More

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Over 14 years ago

Unless you have a tie to Mason City, such as family, don't even consider this desolate town. The population is declining rapidly for a reason. You are on an island,  More

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Reviews for West Des Moines    4 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

I just moved here from out-of-state a few months ago and have been pleasantly surprised by the broad range of activities and amenities available in this medium sized IA  More

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Over 16 years ago

Am contemplating a move to WDM from the East Coast (NYC). Might there be anyone out there that may have experienced this and could offer guidance or comment. Thanks.   More

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We just moved to West Des Moines and we love it here! We moved here three months ago and every weekend we have been able to do something different and fun. There is  More

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